incredulous

adjective

(ˌ)in-ˈkre-jə-ləs How to pronounce incredulous (audio)
Definition of incredulousnext
1
as in skeptical
inclined to doubt or question claims incredulous by nature, I'm of course very suspicious of anyone who claims to be able to communicate with the dead

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in incredible
too extraordinary or improbable to believe an incredulous account of alien abduction that the tabloids had a field day with

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of incredulous On several occasions throughout the game, Lakers players were incredulous after calls – or non-calls – from the crew. — Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 8 May 2026 On several occasions, Lakers players were incredulous after calls — or no-calls — from the crew. — ABC News, 8 May 2026 His comments prompted jeers and incredulous laughs. — Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 28 Apr. 2026 The judge, Cedric Simpson, was incredulous. — Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 26 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for incredulous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incredulous
  1. skeptical
  2. incredible
  3. suspicious
  4. unlikely
  5. cautious
  6. impossible
  7. disbelieving
  8. unbelievable
Adjective
  • And given their preference for rocky environments over sandy lagoons and the crabs’ reproductive prowess, fishermen and experts alike are skeptical.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The early sales reps who thrived on instinct and relationships start selling into a market that’s crowded, educated and skeptical.
    — Doug May, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of skeptical
Adjective
  • The space telescope hasn't just collected incredible data; its images have also given the general public a new appreciation for the beauty and wonder of space.
    — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The playable character models and even roaming NPCs feature incredible outfit details.
    — Gabriel Zamora, PC Magazine, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of incredible
Adjective
  • Glendale police received multiple calls about a suspicious male adult, with officers first responding to a retail store in the 1500 block of Glenoaks Boulevard.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • By the time something appears suspicious, causality is fragmented across systems, logs and identities.
    — Brian Contos, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of suspicious
Adjective
  • The two most prominent, Hebrew and Yiddish, have always been unlikely bedfellows, frequently fighting with each other.
    — Ilan Stavans, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Initial support is near the breakout point around $660, although a pullback of that magnitude is unlikely.
    — Katie Stockton, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of unlikely
Adjective
  • Florida’s Republican gubernatorial ticket is defying historic trends for a political party traditionally known for elevating white men to leadership positions — even as the GOP remains cautious about drawing attention to the shift.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Bindi, a young female wallaby, is inquisitive and extremely curious, while Wally, a young male wallaby, is more cautious and likes to look at things from afar, Borozenets said.
    — Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of cautious
Adjective
  • Elwood told his boss – Peter Brown, a former member of the Beatles’ inner circle and the founder of Brown Lloyd James – that the assignment was impossible.
    — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Such components can benefit from additive manufacturing because the technology lets engineers create geometries that would be difficult or impossible to produce with traditional manufacturing methods.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of impossible
Adjective
  • During one scene, Scherrman appears for a few seconds as the catcher in a game interrupted by Timothy Busfield, the disbelieving brother-in-law of Kevin Costner's character Ray Kinsella.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • During one scene, Scherrman appears for a few seconds as the catcher in a game interrupted by Timothy Busfield, the disbelieving brother-in-law of Kevin Costner’s character Ray Kinsella.
    — Dave Campbell, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of disbelieving
Adjective
  • What an unbelievable joy to have shared a sound stage with him and to engage with such a master talent.
    — Selome Hailu, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Emilio Pagán shut the door, and boos filled Oracle Park as the Reds celebrated their unbelievable victory.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of unbelievable

Browse Nearby Words

incredulity
incredulous
incredulously
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Cite this Entry

“Incredulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incredulous. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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